As 'Ramon' draws near no classes in public elem., high school across Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Classes in all public elementary and secondary schools in the Province and City of Cebu have been suspended today after the weather bureau declared storm signal number 1 for Cebu yesterday afternoon.

Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud issued the advisory after PAG-ASA issued the weather bulletin at 5 pm yesterday.

Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Arden Monisit, for his part, announced the suspension after hearing the presentation of PAG-ASA Mactan Chief Oscar Tabada during the emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council called by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Still, school heads of both public and private schools are reminded to refer to Department of Education Order No. 28, series of 2005 which provides the guidelines on the suspension of classes when typhoons and other calamities occur.

Prior to the meeting, Monisit said he already suspended all classes in northern Cebu including those in schools in the Camotes group of islands.

DepEd Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia said division and school heads should be guided by the existing policy of the department.

Classes at the pre-school level in all public and private schools will be automatically suspended during storm warning signal number one. Classes at the pre-school, elementary and high school levels will be suspended during storm warning signal number two.

Classes in all levels are automatically suspended during storm warning signal number three and all travel and outdoor activities are cancelled during signal number four.

The DepEd Order also provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, localized suspension of classes in both public and private schools at all levels can be decided by the local authorities.

This means, Borgonia said, that the school head can suspend classes when the situation poses danger to school children since the school head is in the best position to make a decision. This is intended to avoid leaving children in the streets when heavy rains and strong winds hit.

The DepEd order states further that the ultimate responsibility in determining whether or not their children should go to school lies with the parents regardless of whether a storm signal is given or not.

Meanwhile, Garcia hoisted a 24-hour action plan at the Capitol, which is being headed by Capitol consultant on security, retired Col. Cesar Veloso, in coordination with all department heads.

Garcia also ordered mayors in northern Cebu and the island of Camotes and Bantayan to take preemptive measures like evacuating families in high risk areas.

The Provincial Engineering Office and contractors undertaking government projects were also asked to make their equipment available for rescue efforts in the event of landslides and in clearing roads of fallen trees.

Starting 11am yesterday, the Regional Disaster Reduction and Management Council (RDRMC) -7 also declared the entire region under heightened alert and activated all disaster councils in all levels of government.

“Now with the development, ato na gi-butang og red alert ang atong council,” said Office of Civil Defense operations head Niel Angelo Sanchez.

Sanchez said that as early as Monday evening, they have sent various advisories to different agencies and local government units throughout the region to prepare for Ramon’s coming.

They are also constantly coordinating with other groups and agencies, such as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces.

“Ang atong resources at regional level is in support ni sila sa local, but with priority, kun asa ang na-grabihan adto nato i-concentrate ang taong deployment,” Sanchez said.  

The RDRMC has also deployed needed equipment and relief goods to some pre-identified high risk areas in the region in the advent of isolation.

“As early as now nga di pa kaayo kusog ang bagyo, i-padala na daan (equipment and relief goods) sa mga areas nga lisod maabtan,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said they are continually monitoring high risk areas especially in the northern part of Cebu while assessing other areas that are expected to feel the full force of the typhoon.

PAGASA said Ramon will not be that strong as the previous typhoons, but Sanchez reminded everyone to remain cautious because the storm may still intensify.

Evacuation

Sanchez also urges those living in high risk areas to take preemptive measures by evacuating.

“Kadtong mga ubang tawo nga nagpuyo sa lugar nga naay history of flooding, palihog lang og evacuate nalang ug ayaw namo paghuwat,” he said. — with Ryan Christopher J. Sorote, and Isobelle Karen A. Clitar, PIT ABComm Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)